Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

Remove the following parts:
- Oil pans (lower and upper): Refer to "2WD: EXPLODED VIEW " (2WD models) or "AWD: EXPLODED VIEW " (AWD models).
- Front and rear timing chain case: Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW " and "EXPLODED VIEW ".
- Cylinder head: Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".
Remove knock sensor.
CAUTION: Carefully handle sensor avoiding shocks.
Remove baffle plate from lower cylinder block.
Remove piston and connecting rod assembly with the following procedure:
- Before removing piston and connecting rod assembly, check the connecting rod side clearance. Refer to "CYLINDER BLOCK ".
  CAUTION: Never drop connecting rod bearing, and to scratch the surface.
1. Position crankshaft pin corresponding to connecting rod to be removed onto the bottom dead center.
2. Remove connecting rod bearing cap.
3. Using a hammer handle or similar tool, push piston and connecting rod assembly out to the cylinder head side.
  CAUTION: Never damage the cylinder wall and crankshaft pin, resulting from an interference of the connecting rod big end.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Piston And Connecting Rod Assembly Using Hammer
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove connecting rod bearings from connecting rod and connecting rod bearing cap.
CAUTION:
- Never drop connecting rod bearing, and to scratch the surface.
- Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.
Remove piston rings from piston.
- Before removing piston rings, check the piston ring side clearance. Refer to "CYLINDER BLOCK ".
- Use a piston ring expander (commercial service tool) (A).
  CAUTION:
  - When removing piston rings, be careful not to damage piston.
  - Never damage piston rings by expanding them excessively.
  Fig 2: Removing Piston Rings From Piston Using Piston Ring Expander
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove piston from connecting rod as follows:
1. Using a snap ring pliers (A), remove snap rings.
  
  Fig 3: Removing Snap Rings Using Snap Ring Plier
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. Heat piston to 60 to 70°C (140 to 158°F) with an industrial use drier (A) or equivalent.
  
  Fig 4: Heating Piston Using Dryer
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
3. Push out piston pin with stick of outer diameter approximately 20 mm (0.79 in).
  
  Fig 5: Pushing Out Piston Pin Using Tool
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove lower cylinder block bolts.
- Before loosening lower cylinder block bolts, measure the crankshaft end play. Refer to "CYLINDER BLOCK ".
- Loosen lower cylinder block bolts in the reverse order shown in the figure in several different steps.
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Cylinder Block Bolts Tightening Order
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove lower cylinder block as follows:
Screw M8 bolt [pitch: 1.25 mm (0.0492 in) length: approximately 50 mm (1.97 in)] into bolt holes (A). Then equally tighten each bolt, and remove lower cylinder block.

Fig 7: Identifying Lower Cylinder Block Bolt Hole
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
CAUTION:
- Never damage the mounting surfaces.
- Never tighten bolts too much.
- Never insert screw driver, this will damage the mating surface.
Remove crankshaft.
Pull rear oil seal out from rear end of crankshaft.
Remove main bearings and thrust bearings from cylinder block and lower cylinder block.
CAUTION:
- Never drop main bearing, and to scratch the surface.
- Identify installation positions, and store them without mixing them up.
Remove oil jet.